DISTRIBUTION & HABITAT
Based on the data at hand, it seems that N. mucugensis is endemic to the Chapada Diamantina in Eahia. The locality cited for the specimen J. Kent s.n. (coastal region of Ilheus) should be ignored. Since I participated in this expedition with J. Kent, I can guarantee that N. mucugensis was only found in the Chapada Diamantina and not in the forests of Ilheus.
Neoregelia mucugensis grows in the "campos rupestres" above 700 m altitude, sometimes forming large population groups that may either be exposed to direct sunlight or partly protected in the sparse shade of shrubs. The efficient production of long stolons (longer than those of N. bahiana on average) guarantees the successful formation of large colonies.
Even though this species occurs in the Chapada Diamantina National Park, it cannot be thought of as effectively preserved. This conservation unit is swept almost every year by wildfires that are gradually reducing the diversity of a very unique local flora and fauna. —SeeLeme 1998
